What is Heart Hugger

Heart Hugger™ is a simple, on demand, patient-operated harness that provides patients with full-time wound stability, sternal support, pain management and fewer wound complications after a sternotomy. When the handles are squeezed together, Heart Hugger™ circles the rib cage with uniform pressure and support. It is applied immediately after extubation and continues to work at home after discharge.

"I am impressed that as I have followed up my patients in the office, they have continued to comment that the Heart Hugger appliance made their convalescences much easier at home, and that they have continued to use it beyond hospitalization."

Michael F Teodori, M.D.

Pediatric & Adult Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I strongly believe that the support harness has played the major role in preventing sternal wound separation."

David G. Eilertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"I greatly appreciated Heart Hugger during my recovery period after my own open heart surgery. I found it made me feel a lot more comfortable."

Vernon Stafford, M.D.

"I have used the support harness in over 100 consecutive open heart surgical patients during the last two years. I clearly am in favor of using Heart Hugger on a routine basis."

Ravi Koopot, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgery,

"Heart Hugger helps my patients get well faster by giving them the confidence to cough, knowing they will not suffer from doing so."

J. Marvin Smith, M.D.

Cardiovascular Surgeon,

"...Since the patient can wear the harness it has the advantage of being available when the need arises, for the instance, during therapy, or when the patient wakes up at night."

Peg Meisler

Physical Therapist,

"I recommend and prescribe it for all my open heart patients. They testify that their recoveries have been much quicker while using Heart Hugger compared to prior surgeries when the device was not available."

S. Vathayanon, M.D.

Cardiac, Vascular & Thoracic Surgery,

"Over half our patients are released by the fifth post-operative day and many by the fourth post-operative day. I believe this is due in a large part to the fact that we have a device available which allows the patient to continue aggressive coughing and deep breathing at home, with much less discomfort."

David G. Ellertson, M.D.

Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery,

"It gave me more confidence to do things on my own. I should've bought it sooner."

Laura P.

"They were impressed when I showed them how it worked and how I did not feel the pain when doing breathing exercises."